‘Instantaneous Death’ Leaves Lobbyists in Limbo

“Instantaneous death” is how one veteran lobbyist described the impact of the House’s abrupt adjournment Tuesday, three days before lawmakers were supposed to go home.

Rumors about the possibility of an early departure by the House had been circulating for more than a week, but lobbyists clustered on the fourth floor of the Capitol were caught off-guard when House Speaker Steve Crisafulli gaveled down his chamber shortly after lunch.

“I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it in my career. I always thought you can never keep a secret in Tallahassee. I have to give the speaker credit. He did a great job keeping a secret,” said longtime lobbyist Billy Rubin, one of a few dozen spectators in what would normally be a sardine-style packed crowd gathered around a big-screen television outside the Senate chamber early Tuesday afternoon.

Standing nearby, lobbyist Ron Book agreed that nearly all veteran Capitol movers-and-shakers were taken aback by Crisafulli’s actions, which came at a time when, during normal legislative sessions, House and Senate members — and lobbyists — would be cutting last-minute deals.

“I think everybody out here was surprised. A lot of stuff died. Instantaneous death,” he said.